Video shows 'erratic' woman screaming, removing clothes on airplane

DENVER -- A Frontier Airlines flight from Denver to Portland, Ore., had to turn around before taking off Monday because a woman on the jet began screaming and removing her clothes.

A passenger recorded a portion of the meltdown while the airplane taxied, but he said it only represents a portion of what happened before and after.

"I was uncomfortable and I wasn't sitting next to her," said Devin, who wanted to remain anonymous because of response from the video.

Devin's video shows the woman kicking and screaming on the ground, and hitting her head against the cockpit door. She can also be heard taking about dying in a plane crash.

He said the trouble started at the gate, long before picking up his phone and pushing the record button.

"Her behavior was really erratic, up and down, crying and then laughing and then crying," Devin said. "Even before she got on the plane."

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Video shows 'erratic' woman screaming, removing clothes on airplane

One of the world largest aircraft AN-225 Mriya lands for a technical halt at Rajiv Gandhi International airport in Hyderabad, India, Friday, May 13, 2016. The six-engine aircraft Mriya, which means 'dream' in Russian, is the longest and heaviest airplane ever built, with a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tones is en route to Australia from Europe. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: The Antonov AN-225 Mriya comes into land at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Spectators look out from an indoor viewing room over the Ukraine-built Antonov An-225 Mriya after it arrived at Perth Airport on May 15, 2016.
The six-engine aircraft, built to transport the Soviet space shuttle the Buran, is now used for cargo no other plane can handle and on this flight to Perth it carried a large generator purchased by a Western Australian resources company. / AFP / Greg Wood (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Members of the public take photos and video of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya from the viewing deck at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: The tail of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya is seen after arriving at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: A ground staff member signals to pilots after the arrival of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: The front end of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya is opened prior to unloading of cargo after arriving at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: The front end of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya is opened prior to unloading of cargo after arriving at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The nose is raised up on the world's largest aircraft, the Ukraine-built Antonov An-225 Mriya, after it touched down at Perth Airport on May 15, 2016.
The six-engine aircraft, built to transport the Soviet space shuttle the Buran, is now used for cargo no other plane can handle and on this flight to Perth it carried a large generator purchased by a Western Australian resources company. / AFP / Greg Wood (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

Indian Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and airport personnel stand near the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya, at Rajiv Gandhi International airport in Hyderabad on May 13, 2016.
The six-engined Mriya aircraft, which means 'dream' in Russian, is the longest and heaviest airplane ever built and is en route to Australia from Europe / AFP / NOAH SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: The Anotonov Airlines logo is seen on the tail of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya after arriving at Perth International airport on May 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. The Ukrainian cargo plane is 84 metres long and has a wingspan of 88.4 metres and is in Perth to (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Antonov An-225 Mriya, a cargo plane which is the world's biggest aircraft, takes off from the Vaclav Havel Airport for its first commercial flight from Prague to Perth, in Prague, Czech Republic, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/David W Cerny

An Antonov An-225 Mriya (Dream) cargo plane is seen on the tarmac of the Antonov aircraft plant in the village of Gostomel, outside Kiev, Ukraine, April 27, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Plane spotters watch Antonov An-225 Mriya, a cargo plane which is the world's biggest aircraft, driving along the Vaclav Havel Airport for its first commercial flight from Prague to Perth, in Prague, Czech Republic, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/David W Cerny

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Devin said the incident at the front of the plane didn't happen until the plane had taxied onto the runway and was minutes from taking off.

"She attempted to pull out the oxygen bag," he said. "She attempted to pry that open and then, at that point, she had enough and she jumped out of her seat, jumped over the person closest to the aisle there."

Devin said he shot the video as the plane was on the way back to the gate, but he stopped recording early because the woman began taking off her clothes.

"There were no clothes," he said. "Not even socks."

A Frontier Airlines spokesman confirmed the flight was sent back to the gate and that Denver police officers escorted a passenger off before the flight resumed its trip to Portland.

The spokesman said the airline would not elaborate on the incident or its policy when dealing with such a passenger.

"They could have done a much better job," said Steve Cowell, an aviation safety consultant. "This was clearly a medical emergency that needed an immediate response."

Cowell said the crew should have called in paramedics before police.

"There is no excuse to see an airplane with a problem like this and not have paramedics on board taking charge of the situation," Cowell said. "In the period of time that this video lasts."

Cowell said if the woman exhibited erratic behavior before boarding, gate agents should have also stepped in. Though he said passengers should have also spoken up.

"Do the other passengers a favor," he said. "Tell a ground agent if you see something. Tell a flight attendant if you hear something. Let them take charge."